Artvoice Presents: Night Shift

Friday, April 18

We had a blast at the first Night Shift in March. There was plenty of revelry; in case that’s the kind of thing you’re into. Our next one should be even better. The second event in our monthly dance party series comes this Friday (April 18) once again at Hardware in Allentown. “The vibe inside is going to be warm,” says Steven Rittner, aka Medison, who will be spinning records in the Back Room along with DJ Mario Bee, DJ Wrapid, Eyes Everywhere, and Loki. “There’s going to be a strong bond of art and music... along with the party animals in all of us that like to rage after midnight!” These guys are veterans of the local DJ scene. Guys like Mario Bee and Eyes Everywhere have dipped into producing as well. Earlier this year Kyle Tatum and Brian Doyle of Eyes Everywhere released a track titled “Off Bailey,” an intense house groove full of stabbing synth vamps and twisting basslines, which was released by the well-known record label Fool’s Gold as part of their Clubhouse series. Visual artist Mascone Lee will compliment the bassy vibes in the Back Room with some psychedelic video projections as well. Hardware resident DJs, Spooky Business, will hold down the front room with a mix of hip hop and party tunes, so please join us for another night of dancing and great music at Hardware on Friday.

- cory perla

11pm Allen St. Hardware Café (882-8843 / allenstreethardware.com) $5

Thursday, April 17

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

Rochester-based reggae band Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is finally getting the recognition they deserve. GPGDS plays a nasty brand of funky, roots-reggae dub like it’s nobody’s business. They found their niche in live shows, playing 800 concerts in six years, most of which were recorded by Panda-lovers and shared over the Internet. Live shows exhibit their raw talent. Their catchy jams are layerd by stimulating keys, guitar riffs, bass lines and one-drops with harmonic vocals. Not enough is said about their vocal prowess; it’s tight where it counts, but crude and soulful at the same time. Unsurprisingly, their studio albums only canonize their sound. Their sophomore album, Country changed pace, featuring a bluegrass/country tone. Heading back to their reggae roots, they infuse a psychedelic vibe; the marriage of which produces a sound that makes a searing impression on the reggae genre. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad will play at the Tralf Music Hall on Thursday (tonight!).

- kellie powell

8pm The Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St. (852-2860 / tralfmusichall.com) $13 advance, $15 day of show

Thursday, April 17

Shilpa Ray

Bluesy punk singer Shilpa Ray is one of Brooklyn’s most unique artists. After years of playing with Her Happy Hookers and touring with legendary musician and all around badass, Nick Cave, her 2013 EP, It’s All Self-Fellatio, shows the singer-songwriter/harmonium player’s authentic talent. Ray’s thought-provoking lyrics run deep into a sociopolitical America. She plays the role of the social observer, mulling over generational marks—like racist cooking show host, Paula Deen; last year’s Boston Marathon bombing; and the all-consuming Internet rapture. Her music has a raw feel and simplicity to it. “I Is What I Is” is an uncomplicated track that’s bone-chillingly captivating. It features Ray’s bright, clear voice backed by nothing more than piano. She can do harsh or soft. She can caterwaul, but when she’s subdued her words cut even deeper. If you’ve ever found yourself riddled with goose bumps after listening to Shilpa Ray sing, don’t be alarmed—it’s a common side effect. When she’s feeling bold, she plays up the unique and prominent coarseness of her voice, howling reminders of Janis Joplin and Joan Jett. Shilpa Ray will play with her four-piece band at Nietzsche’s on Thursday (tonight!) with Pam Swarts, the Coy Wolves, and Difficult Night.

- kellie powell

8pm Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / nietzsches.com) $7

Friday, April 18

Hellogoodbye

Synths, autotune, ukelele, punchy lyrics, and lack of space between words—thank you Hellogoodbye. Although we haven’t heard much from these guys over the past six years, they’re slowly but surely making their way back onto the scene. Accompanying Paramore on their self-titled tour in 2013 and releasing their latest album, Everything Is Debatable in October, they’re refreshing our memories with new spins on previous warm, electronic melodies, like only they can. The physical possibility of frowning while under the influence of Hellogoodbye has long been questioned, because whether you’re at a dance party or listening in solitude, those confection-sweet lyrics wrapped in high-energy pop have a way of physically moving you, especially the corners of your mouth. Catch Hellogoodbye this Friday (April 18) at Waiting Room.

- samantha wulff

7pm The Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (852-3900 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $13 advance, $15 day of show

Friday, April 18

Hollerado

Hollerado exemplifies childhood dreams come true. Sometimes funky, sometimes cutesy, but always whimsical, they fall somewhere on the broad spectrum of indie rock. Bursting onto the scene in 2010, this Canadian quartet quickly made a name for themselves and gained a 2011 JUNO nomination for “Best New Artist.” Hollerado’s lyrics remind us that sometimes it’s okay to put the trivialities aside and focus on what’s important. But it’s not all jokes and sunshine. Hollerado has proven that they can take on some pretty heavy topics, and demonstrated their dynamicity with the recent documentary-esque story told on “So It Goes,” from their latest album White Paint. The song tells the tale of lead singer Menno Versteeg’s Dutch grandfather’s life being spared by a Nazi officer during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in WWII. Regardless of the subject matter, there is no mistaking the distinctly organic feel that seeps into all that they do. Fully engaging in the process, Hollerado takes a do-it-yourself approach, from music videos to their website material. And they will clearly do-it-themselves when they play with another Canadian band, Wildlife on Friday (April 18) at the Town Ballroom.

- samantha wulff

7pm Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / townballroom.com) $15 advance, $17 day of show

Friday, April 18

Turkuaz and Playonbrother

If you need a reason to dance, there’s some funk coming to town that will surely get your feet moving. The one-two punch of Turkuaz and Playonbrother are set to take the stage at Nietzsche’s this Friday (April 18) for a night packed with enough good music to keep you satisfied until summer decides to officially show up. The two bands are the perfect pairing and have been touring for the past month or so, enjoying the shows and camaraderie equally. Playonbrother features Buffalo’s own Alan Evans (pictured) who’s most known for his work in Soulive. If you’re unfamiliar with his new band, they actually played here this past Black Friday, but were known as Alan Evans Trio before their recent name change. The band recently released their Woodstock Sessions album, which was cut with a live audience present, and is working on a brand new album as we speak. Turkuaz is a funk outfit from New York City who has more members than letters in their name. The nine-piece funk family is touring in support of their latest album, Future 86. The band has been garnering a lot of attention as of late and doesn’t plan on slowing down with a packed summer schedule full of festivals and other dates. The band may have a hard time fitting on stage, but it won’t be nearly as packed as the dance floor Friday night.

- jeremiah shea

10pm Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / nietzsches.com) $10 advance, $12 day of show

Saturday, April 19

The Observers CD Release Party

A blend of folk and indie rock, the Observers epitomize the idea of an Allentown band. Holding banjos, flutes, acoustic guitars, an upright bass, and the occasional mandolin, fiddle or ukelele, the seven-piece band has hit their stride on their latest full-length record. The self-titled record ranges from worldly folk-guitar pieces like “Headin’ West” to what the band likes to call “tear in your beer ballads” like “Sad Cabaret,” led by precise vocal harmonies and rhythmic guitars. On the flip-side, they have no problem transitioning into up-tempo sing-alongs like “Movin’ On.” The Observers will celebrate the release of their self-titled record this Saturday (April 19) at Babeville’s Ninth Ward with support from the lovely and talented Savannah King and Fredonia soul-pop band Lady Lush and the Vinyls.

- cory perla

8pm Babeville’s Ninth Ward, 341 Delaware Ave. (852-3835 / babevillebuffalo.com) $8 advance, $10 day of show

Thursday, April 24

Claude Vonstroke

In 2005, a dirtybird was born. Barclay Crenshaw took on the moniker Claude VonStroke, and, along with aspiring like-minded individuals like brothers Justin and Christian Martin and Justin’s roommate Worthy, the group of DJs gathered together with a sound system and began playing shows at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. This weird and pleasureful sensation of bassy tech-house was named dirtybird, after a bizarre drawing VonStroke created. Now, the name is iconic. With dirtybird BBQs, headlining spots at major festivals and even Ibiza residencies, the collective has grown, and encompasses other game-changing names like J. Phlip, Leroy Peppers, Eats Everything, French Fries, and Catz ‘n Dogz. What makes this crew different is their undeniable intimate connection with the crowd. When Justin Martin played Sky Bar in Buffalo last summer, the energy of the rooftop of rain-soaked people was inspiring; and when at 4am, the lights turned up, he slid the volume down, only to push it back up and continue playing a few songs for a handful of people, well, it was unforgettable. Claude VonStroke, along with J.Phlip, played Rendezvous Niteclub in the fall. The untouchable fame factor was nonexistent, and there was no feeling of a pedestal tiered DJ. Presented by After Dark Entertainment and Factory Nightlife, VonStroke returns to Buffalo, Thursday (April 24) at the Waiting Room, with local support from Just Dubbs, Paul Kuenzi, and DJ Slappie.

- alicia greco

9pm The Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (852-3900 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $15 advance, $20 day of show